The Chips Are Still Down

Micron Technology is an acknowledged juggernaut in the world of integrated circuits. One-fifth of the globe's dynamic random access memory chips -- key components of personal computers -- are made by the Boise, Idaho, company. Thanks to a judicious mix of timely acquisitions and a focus on low-cost production, Micron has inflated its share of world DRAM sales from 3.6% in 1990, and bolstered annual sales 10-fold to $3.9 billion for the year ended last August.